Carlos Hathcock’s Service Achievements
After the super-impressive mission of killing the General, Hathcock was sent back to the US in 1967 as his tour ended. But he missed his duty there and joined his mates in 1969. This time, he was given the command of an entire platoon of snipers.
All was well, when one day, Hathcock’s career came to an abrupt end. In September 1969, north of LZ Baldy, just along Route 1, Hathcock’s Amtrack was blown up by an anti-tank mine. Fire broke out and Hathcock took the charge of taking out 7 injured marines. He, himself was severely burned and it was clear that it would take a long time before he was on his feet again. Hathcock got a Purple Heart for his conduct.
30 years later, his actions were again put under the microscope and he was awarded the Silver Star. The injured marines were taken to the hospital ship USS Repose via a med-evac and then to Tokyo Naval Hospital. But the severity of the burns was so much that they had to be admitted for long-term treatment, and they were sent to the Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas.
Regarding, his tools of trade, Hathcock, normally operated with the Winchester Model 70, 30-06 Caliber rifle along with an 8 power scope. He did however adapt according to the conditions and once even used the M2 Browning machine gun! He used the machine gun as a sniper rifle with a 10x Unertl scope. He managed to get a couple of kills with the machine gun at 1000 yards. At one point, he broke all his records and got a confirmed kill at 2500 yards from this very weapon. As sidearm, Hathcock carried a Colt M1911A1 pistol.
After the War
By the time Hathcock was declared fit for active duty, the war was over. Now, he was put in charge of developing the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School in Quantico Virginia. But even then he wasn’t perfectly alright and was in pain from the burns. However, he didn’t want his knowledge to be wasted and continued his service of teaching snipers.
In 1975, Hathcock’s health took a toll for the worst. A checkup revealed he had multiple sclerosis. He continued his service nonetheless but after it became clear that further strain could lead to fatal conditions, he retired just 55 days before his 20 years record would be complete, allowing him a full retirement pension. As he was medically retired, he was given 100 percent disability benefits however he was stripped of his pension, as he was 55 days shy.
He went into depression because of the forced retirement as he felt he had been betrayed by the people he loved the most. His wife nearly left him during this time but eventually, Hathcock’s condition improved. He took up the hobby of shark fishing and got out of depression.
He then shared his expertise with police departments and special military units like the SEAL Team 6.
Death
Hathcock’s ability to survive through situations was attributed to his will to “get in the bubble” and put himself in a state of complete focus, both with his equipment and his surroundings. He was shown a passage from Ernest Hemingway, “Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and like it, never really care for anything else thereafter.” Hathcock agreed with this and loved it so much that he copied it down on a piece of paper. Later on, he said that it was the hunt that truly drove him, and even though he loved shooting, he never enjoyed killing. He did it as part of his job because if he let them go, then there would be no purpose for the Marines.
His son followed his footsteps and enlisted himself in the Marine Corps. He retired from duty once he reached his father’s rank, Gunnery Sergeant and was given a membership seat on the Board of Governors of the Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters Association.
Carlos Hathcock passed away on 22nd February 1999 in Virginia from the disease that had forced retirement upon him, sclerosis.